The Declaration of Independence: Uncovering Its Strategic Art The fundamental purpose of America’s Declaration of Independence was to illustrate to foreign nations why the colonies had decided to detach and disassociate themselves from Great Britain. The Revolutionary War had already been in motion, and numerous major battles had occurred. The American colonies had already cut most major ties to England, and had established their very own currency, congress, army, and post office. On June 7, 1776, at the Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Richard Henry Lee articulated a position that the United States should be completely liberated of England’s dominance, and that all political ties between the two countries should be eradicated. Congress …show more content…
Thomas Jefferson sought to formulate a general political philosophy that affirms the right of a people to establish and overturn its own government, which is made clear in the first part of the second paragraph of the Declaration, providing that all men are created equal with rights such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. In his 2nd Treatise on Government, Philosopher John Locke states that the government should protect its people and their property, and if government does not fulfill this obligation then it must be overthrown. In other words, the government is not allowed to go on a tyrannical power trip. In various aspects, the British Empire did exactly this. According to the Declaration of Independence: The king has appointed "swarms of officers to harass our people," has harbored "armed troops among us," has imposed "taxes on us without our consent," "has taken away our charters, abolished our most valuable laws," and reformed "the Forms of our Governments." He has "plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, . . . destroyed the lives of our people," and "incited domestic insurrections amongst us." These are all acts that were out of line, caused by several power trips. This was the reason why America desired Independence. They needed to make it clear to the king that they need to be happy and out of harm’s way, which are basic human rights. All kings have a duty to
The Declaration of Independence was formed resulting from the treatment of 13 colonies from the British government without representation after subsequent denials to be represented and treated equal. This historic document was revolutionary because it’s what began the transition of our government into a democracy unlike that of parliament in the 1700’s. The British government and their ruling made decisions that didn’t involve what was right for the people; only what was in the best economic interest of parliament. This caused significant hardships on the American colonies which eventually led to them coming together as a people and forming this declaration.
In the text, “History of The Declaration of Independence”, the background of both the document that gave the United States its freedom, as well as its founder/former president. The colonists began to get angered by their mother land in the 1760s and 1770s, Great Britain as they set British policies that consumed the lives of the American colonists. The government at the time, the Second Continental Congress established their own currency “the Continental Currency”, in addition to an army. In the year 1776, the people of the colonies began to seek their minds, in Philadelphia, a man by the name of Richard Henry Lee drafted his resolution, which ‘“expressed the feelings and emotions” of many colonists. With the previous attempts to resolve issues
What other people had created a climate for revolution among the masses before 1776? (One might mention Patrick Henry. Samuel Adams, and Thomas Paine, author of "Common Sense.")
The Declaration of Independence drafted by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by the Second Continental Congress expresses the thirteen American colonies desire to disjoin from Great Britain. Chapter 4 of “After the Fact,” entitled Declaring Independence, presents factual viewpoints of historians as well as thorough examinations aroused from the possible confusions of the renowned document.
In 1776, the Continental congress elected that Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston help write what many now know today to be The Declaration of Independence. The whole point of this document being written was to declare to Great Britain and King George III that the British colonies in North America would no longer be a part of Great Britain, but rather of their own free states, thus creating the United States of America and declaring independence from Great Britain. Because of what The Declaration of Independence stood for, it has been regarded highly throughout American
“We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” - The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are two significant documents that transformed the history of the United States. The people of the “New World” went from being ruled by British law and living in the thirteen colonies, to becoming an independent nation with a democratic government. The Declaration was written to ensure that all official ties with its mother country, Great Britain, were suspended indefinitely. It then went on to describe the concepts and ideologies behind a just and fair government. The Constitution, however, outlined how the newly democratic government would operate. In 1776, after the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia, a verdict was made that the only constructive way to ensure independence as a nation would be to declare independence from King George III, Parliament, and Great Britain. The colonists sought to fashion a clear, detailed document, known as the Declaration of Independence, which stated why the people chose to move in this direction as well as providing several arguments to support their case. This world-renown document is a symbol of the unity between the 13 colonies during their fight for independence during the American Revolutionary War.
Democracy is known as a system of government when all eligible people of a state can voice their own opinions as well as elect representatives. Democracy is not once mentioned in The Declaration of Independence. Pros of a democracy are, its by the people and for the people. Democracy is meant for everybody to be eligible to vote and they are able to vote. The people are also able to participate in what they think, feel , and voice about the political, social, and economic issues that are presented to them. It's in the people's best interest not just the governments. The goal is to find solutions with decision-makers best interest. The main goal is to is find solutions that are best for the people and regulate conflicts between states and government. A democracy imposes equality, the people's votes carry the same weight, which makes all individuals to be heard and make them feel as if their opinion is important. Other than in elections of the state a citizens
“We hold these truths to be self-evident,’’or obvious to all.First among these truths is that “all men are created equal.’’Jefferson goes on to state that everyone is “endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights.’’This statement is based on John Locke's ideas about natural rights.”Like Locke,Jefferson goes on to state that governments are created in order to protect people's rights.Locke concludes that if a government violates those rights,the people have a right to abolish their government and create
The Declaration of Independence was written justifying the reasons for revolting against the British rule. It served three purposes, outlining its theory of government, listing complaints, and declaring war. The main complaint was the passage of unfavorable laws in England that affected the colonists yet they were not represented within the English Parliament to air the opinions while such laws were being passed. Though appearing like a logical argument, the British might have viewed it as diluting their power within their own parliament. Another complaint was the King’s role in making it difficult for the Colonists to participate in governance; this might also have been seen as undermining the British power in America and then there was forbidding laws that would have established significant judiciary powers. The King being the supreme source of justice might have viewed it as undermining
In 1776 America’s founding fathers decided to separate from their mother country, Great Britain, and live as independent states. In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson writes that the “United colonies...ought to be free and Independent States,” (lines 131-133) after they have undergone a long string of abuses by King George. As he writes the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson’s purpose is to give reason to the colonists, the King and the foreign worldly powers of why the colonists feel the need to separate themselves from Great Britain. In the Declaration Jefferson faces the challenge of persuading his audience that the colonists need to dissolve from Great Britain, he overcomes this by using rhetorical devices to convince the audience that the colonists have certain rights the British are not protecting, the colonists have long been abused by King George and the colonists have tried to reason with the British, but they need to become independent states.
Jefferson began the document by explaining that the rights of the Americans had been brutally molested by the unjust King of Britain. Following this accusation, he provided evidence of this abuse by listing not just a mere handful, but 27 grievances that the King had inflicted against the colonies. Lastly, the conclusion of this article publishes and declares that the United Colonies have the right to be freed from the British and that they have the right to govern themselves as any free country does. The strategic organization of the Declaration of Independence allowed the colonies to be powerfully represented by such a clear and prudently worded
The American Revolution was not only a battle between the British and the colonists; it was a historical movement that brought about new ways of thinking. The ideas of liberty and equality began to be seen as essential to the growth of the new nation. The separation of the American colonies from the British Empire occurred for a number of reasons. These reasons are illustrated in the Declaration of Independence. Although Thomas Jefferson wrote the document, it expressed the desire of the heart of each colonist to be free of British rule. British rule over the colonies became unbearable in the early months of 1776, making it clear to the colonists that it was time to either give in
The Declaration of Independence brought America its independence, and it self, as well as our constitution. The declaration of independence had many positive effects on America. The Declaration of Independence is the usual name of a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. This stated that the thirteen American colonies, called themselves the thirteen newly independent sovereign states, and that they were no longer a part of the British Empire. Instead of staying in the British Empire, they formed a new nation; the United States of America. Many people wanted independence, but John Adams really believe in and pushed for independence. America’s independence was approved on July 2, 1776. A committee of five had already wrote a draft of the declaration, so it was ready when Congress voted on independence. The term "Declaration of Independence" is not used in the document itself, but is explained and perceived.
The Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence is one of the clearest statements of the Classical Liberalism philosophy. At that time majority of people believed that rights come from government and they believed that those who rule and govern can determine our rights. But John Locke the British philosopher argue that it is the other way around people have natural right which is inherent or you born with; hence, he argue that people can create and dissolve governments and the aim to have government is to protect these rights (Alvey, October 2004 ).